TBR CH215.1: Extra

“Good evening,”

The moment the human appeared, he became the focal point of all eyes.

Roland leaned forward slightly, his amber eyes keenly sweeping the room, pausing meaningfully on the Mage Tower disciples. Then, taking the demon’s arm by his side, he said unhurriedly, “We are deeply honored that you have taken the time to attend mine and Kris’s wedding.”

No, this was too humble; by no means could “honor” be discerned from the Demon King’s expression—

This thought flashed through the minds of the guests. Before they could even ponder Archmage Roland’s reappearance after so many years, a chill ran down their spines under the Demon King’s terrifying, vertical gaze.

Fortunately, most guests didn’t even register in Kriesmeier’s pupils. He merely paused ominously when looking at the few lords before him.

The two impeccably dressed demon dukes instantly trembled uncontrollably. The Lord of Gluttony looked at them in surprise, unable to help but suspect that his colleagues had quickly committed some grave act of defiance against the Demon King.

Roland reassuringly touched the Demon King’s palm.

Though the human didn’t believe he possessed the virtue of tolerance, today was, after all, a wedding.

And he had just finished coaxing Kriesmeier.

The demon, uncharacteristically obedient, withdrew his gaze and tightly intertwined his fingers with Roland’s.

Too many people were staring at Roland; it was indeed a bit unbearable. His dark golden eyes were already filled with an intense, unyielding possessiveness. The wings behind him stirred restlessly, eager to move.

Roland let him hold his fingers and continued, “I’d like to ask everyone to relax first. I swear by the Archmage of the Star Tower’s name and the sacred Eternal Edicts that you will all leave safely. Of course, the Demon King’s City is very dangerous, and we don’t encourage frequent visits, but today is special, and I’m sure you all wish to be informed that His Majesty the Demon King and I have become partners—”

The guests below burst into an uproar again.

This was an uncontainable discussion that hadn’t ceased since Roland’s reappearance.

The human before them was a saint officially recognized by the church. Some had once admired his portraits or sculptures, while others still clearly remembered his former glory.

Whispers and fragmented discussions drifted into Roland’s ears: “Is it really the Archmage himself?” “But, after so long, if it’s an imposter…” “Impossible!”

“Indeed, all you need to do is think for a moment,” Roland gently interrupted them, his expression not lacking in pride, “—and you will realize that no one is qualified to impersonate me.”

He was confident, and he had the right to be.

Beside the guests, within reach, was the silver starlight, as if someone had drawn the milky way from the firmament. That power was pure, mighty, and full of light.

Only a legendary Archmage could easily manipulate such magnificent power.

The murmurs among the guests gradually subsided.

Perhaps someone still wanted to ask something, but the Demon King looked too dangerous.

Actually, their worries were superfluous. Kriesmeier was currently focused intently on the mage’s profile. As Roland leaned slightly forward, trying to discern the whispers carried by the wind, a sharp feather brushed his earlobe, weaving into the human’s soft hair. It was like a brand mark placed upon the human.

Roland, however, took the initiative to speak: “I understand what other questions you are concerned about.” He raised the hand that Kriesmeier held tightly.

“Although, due to our identities, the wedding feels more like a press conference. And there’s no host, but let’s get to the point. We invited everyone here today solely to announce this: I willingly choose Kris as my only designated partner for this life, and I will never betray him.”

The human’s eyes were like bright yet gentle amber.

Although the guests present were mentally prepared, upon hearing such a statement, they still couldn’t help but want to shout at the Archmage, “If you’re being kidnapped, blink.”

Although Roland had often been unconventional “in life,” it still gave people a sense of heartbreak and casting pearls before swine.

That was an Abyss demon, that was the tyrant of the demon realm, Kriesmeier. Had the Archmage not read about the habits of this cunning and cruel race recorded in The Demon King Observation Handbook? They disregarded emotions, conflated love and hatred, and even if they were interested in someone, they would only choose to kill them—

They suddenly understood, realizing that the author of this encyclopedia was Roland Xavier himself.

“Kris and I didn’t intend to cause a diplomatic incident,” Roland said lightly, then looked at the Demon King beside him, his tone carrying a hint of sweetness,

“Let’s look at this simply: I love Kriesmeier very much, so I don’t mind him doing anything to me, because this is a right that a lover should enjoy. This is natural for us, but for the entire Mirar Continent, a wedding like today is necessary to emphasize it.”

The human never hesitated to express his love for him in front of everyone.

The sweet words all reached Kriesmeier’s ears. Roland noticed the hand gripping his own tighten further, and a tingling sensation ran up his calf, as if he were surrounded by a large cluster of ruffled feathers.

The tip of the Demon King’s wing, still restless, had somehow, in its posture of hanging by his side, hooked around the human’s ankle.

Well, this was already the result of his utmost restraint.

That part, originally the sharpest, like a blade, capable of effortlessly severing an enemy’s throat. Now, however, it softly wrapped around its prey, carrying a hint of captivating danger within its lingering tenderness.

“My dear,” Roland raised his eyes and said calmly, “it’s your turn to say a few words.”

They hadn’t rehearsed the wedding before, nor had they hired any officiant.

After all, the human felt it was unnecessary to drag the Demon King through every step of the process obediently, only to solemnly swear before family and deities at the end.

But Roland also didn’t expect that he hadn’t even had time to confirm with the Demon King what to say before going on stage.

At that time, they… were doing other things.

So, when Roland had just unilaterally spoken, Kriesmeier had simply stood silently beside him. Though his gaze was almost hot enough to melt in the next second.

As the other protagonist of the wedding, he also had an obligation to say something.

Although the guests had been completely stunned by Roland’s speech. The human had happily expounded on the heaven-made bond between him and Kriesmeier. He himself was very intelligent, and of course, skilled at public speaking, almost deeply branding that fervent emotion into the heart of every guest. In a trance, they even felt that the human and the Demon King on stage looked more and more like…

A match made in heaven?

No, no, the guests quickly shook their heads.

To this day, Kriesmeier had not made any statements. Compared to Roland, he appeared too aloof, or perhaps the wicked lord of the Abyss had simply blinded the human’s genius mage.

This was more in line with the values and general interests of those present.

The leader of the Abyss demons marrying one of humanity’s leaders was simply too much. The Archmage’s power had countless times defeated darkness and brought them light. Rescuing the deceived Archmage from the Demon King was the more correct script—

Just as he thought that, he suddenly felt a shiver down his spine, his heart trembling.

A terrifying shadow suddenly descended, gloomy and crushing, at that very moment.

Demon King Kriesmeier unfurled his black wings, as if capable of touching the sky. The wings must have been supported by some material that was both light and unbreakable, making the destructive black cloud appear impossibly light.

He gazed down coldly at the guests, seemingly seeing through the thoughts in his heart.

“Anyone who wants to take him away,” Kriesmeier said arrogantly and solemnly, “will die.”

He began the wedding with such a threat.

Well, it should have been taken into account that letting the Demon King speak freely would have such consequences.

Roland calmly pulled the Demon King down by his wing. The human didn’t use much force, yet he succeeded in a short time. Even an enraged Demon King would not defy his will.

“No one intends to take me away,” the human soothed skillfully. “Kris, you just need to speak like I did, tell them we love each other, or whatever else you want to say. This is just a part of the… um.”

The demon had his own interpretation of the human’s request.

Wings smelling of gunpowder and blood encircled him.

His dark golden eyes shimmered with a burning light, a result of Roland’s public declaration just now. In front of all the guests, the demon was very close, his silver-gray long hair falling in a cascade.

“Tell them we love each other.”

That is to say, these people did not believe in his loyalty to the human.

—Kriesmeier knelt, kissing the human’s hand.

The sounds of doubt at the wedding venue quickly died down again.

“Oh my,” Hilda whispered, “I think they must have gotten the procedure wrong.”

At the far end of countless gazes, the Demon King, possessing destructive power, knelt amidst the starlight, one wing sharply raised, the other carefully cradling the human.

It was a kiss of allegiance, like a beast’s, performed by the demon very naturally, without any hint of submission. He was utterly focused, his dark golden pupils vertical.

Roland was evidently a little surprised.

But for him, it wasn’t unexpected, after all, he had done so himself.

He smiled even more, his eyes curving, letting Kriesmeier brand a burning kiss on the back of his hand, like a mark of vow.

The Demon King’s pride was not diminished by kissing his lover’s hand.

“I will never stop loving you,” Kriesmeier promised like the human, “Roland Xavier, I swear by the name of the Lord of the Abyss, you are my only designated partner for this life. You have the power to kill me at any time. But should anyone attempt to take you from my grasp, I am destined to kill them.”

“What if I myself want to leave?”

“I will kill you,” the Demon King paused, “then die.”

“Isn’t that well said?”

Roland’s lips curved into a sweet smile. “Even better than my speech, my dear, you’ve stolen my thunder.”

He pulled Kriesmeier up.

Then, unrestrained, he kissed the Demon King’s cold lips, surrounded by the throng of people.

In the midst of the silence, the guests suddenly felt that meddling in the affairs of the loving couple before them—yes, it was a very clear realization now—was somewhat heartless and could easily cost them their lives. Given this, it would be better to offer blessings.

They were completely and passionately in love, an love that could burn everything.

Hilda slowly blinked.

She was one of the less surprised guests, now thoughtfully glancing at the recording device. Then she quietly said to the Knight-Captain:

“Thinking about it carefully, the procedure isn’t wrong. Master must have his reasons for designing it this way.”

In a sense,

Roland and Kriesmeier had completed the most crucial part of the wedding: swearing vows to each other.

Without an officiant, this was simply the most perfect scenario. And, after the vows, they were supposed to kiss each other, which perfectly aligned with Roland and the Demon King’s actions.

That is to say, although the wedding process had not been confirmed or rehearsed, the two parties involved were clearly very happy, and the vows would also take effect.

“Next…” Hilda muttered, “Next should be swearing an oath to the gods.”

At this rate, if they didn’t swear soon, it would be too late. The witch hurriedly pulled out her phone from her wide sleeve, then lightly pressed a few buttons on it. From the knight’s perspective, this strange black box vibrated with a buzzing sound, and its light extinguished.

They made it.

At that very moment, the kiss, which had been the center of attention on the high platform, had just ended.

The human held the Demon King’s shoulders, seemingly able to gaze into the deepest parts of his eyes. However, he had a little more sense of responsibility than Kriesmeier. Though his breathing was still somewhat unsteady, he briefly summarized:

“Kris and I have sworn vows to each other, and the sacred oath takes effect today. To ensure the inviolability of the vow, the next step should be to swear an oath to the gods.”

The moment he looked down, something behind the firmament also seemed to shimmer slightly, as if in response.

A black-covered book suddenly appeared in the human’s hand, no one knew when.

The black book excitedly flapped its cover.

To be able to momentarily step away from arduous work, even for the world’s consciousness, was a rare respite. Moreover, this time it played the role of a god-like entity descending from the heavens.

Roland smiled at it and began to speak nonsense to the guests below.

In short, this black book was a symbol of divine power, an ancient relic, a new discovery in the field of magical research—and of course, the best material for confirming wedding vows and completing the ceremony.

This kind of rhetoric was usually used to embellish mundane objects.

But the black book was, after all, the embodiment of the world’s consciousness, worthy of all the praises above, and even far more.

Roland placed his hand on the black book and solemnly raised his eyes. Kriesmeier looked at him, then extended his own pale, cold demonic hand, covering Roland’s, closed his eyes, and repeated the vows.

“It will come true,” words slowly appeared on the black book. “Actually, I don’t need to say anything, do I?”

Roland looked in good spirits, smiling gently. “I’m honored to receive the blessing of the world’s consciousness.”

“I’m honored too!” The black book said earnestly, but then seemed a little worried. “I’m going to the next world after this. It’s not really ‘a’ world, and though the situation is complex, maybe the problem can be completely resolved. Thinking about having to interact with the chosen target gives me a headache. If only they could cooperate like you—”

“No problem,” Roland whispered, “After all, you, um, you’re actually quite cute.”

He touched the black book’s spine with his pinky finger.

Kriesmeier’s gaze solidified on him.

Roland continued naturally, “Although you’re still far from Kriesmeier, you can try sending more cat emojis.”